- “Selection committee has right to make changes or not”: Naqvi.
- Rizwan assures “best team selected” for Champions Trophy.
- Saim’s absence “disturbing” team combination, remarks captain.
Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Mohsin Naqvi revealed on Friday that the selection committee is reviewing the squad for the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025.
“The selection committee has the right to make changes or not, in the Champions Trophy squad,” he added.
The chairman also addressed the inclusion of Khushdil Shah and Faheem Ashraf in the squad for the Tri-Nation series and the upcoming Champions Trophy – to be hosted by Pakistan.
“Khushdil Shah and Faheem Ashraf were named in the squad with good intentions,” Naqvi said.
Meanwhile, captain and wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan said that changes in the squad are not a necessity while talking to the media in Lahore on Friday.
“There have been no talks regarding changes being made to the squad,” Rizwan said, adding that the “best team has been selected” for the marquee tournament.
The team captain further said that players with good performances in recent matches have made it to the 15-member squad and “Khushdil Shah and Faheem Ashraf are in good form”.
Rizwan also addressed the playing XI selection criteria and basis, saying “It will be chosen according to conditions”.
However, he remarked that “the lack of Saim Ayub is causing the team combination to be disturbed”.
The festivities and preparations for the first ICC event being hosted in Pakistan since 1996 are in full swing.
The mega event is set to kick start from February 19 with Pakistan and New Zealand facing off in Karachi. The Champions Trophy will feature eight teams from all over the world fighting for the prestigious title.
Pakistan, India, Australia, England, South Africa, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and New Zealand will compete for glory, with the much-anticipated Pakistan-India match scheduled for February 23 in Dubai.
